Returnees From Khartoum Earlier Stranded In Renk Arrive At Malakal Way Station

About 420 returnees earlier stranded at Renk have arrived at the Malakal Way Station.

28 April 2013

Last month, Malakal Way station received a total of about 177 returnees brought in since 2010 and were increased with the series of trips of more than 1,500 returnees from Khartoum.[ Jok P Mayom]

By Jok P Mayom

MALAKAL, 27 April 2013 [Gurtong] – The Malakal Way Station Supervisor Mary John has said that the returnees arrived in Malakal and they are settled.

Last month, Malakal Way station received a total of about 177 returnees brought in since 2010 and were increased with the series of trips of more than 1500 returnees from Khartoum.

“Malakal Way Station has now remained with about 200 returnees after the dispatching of the returnees to the other states and counties especially those of Upper Nile State,” said Mary.

“The station now host about 600 returnees both old and the new comers from Renk. The returnees got dispatched through the help of national government with IOM to other states,” she said.

Way station staff Mr. Leek Alier said that though some returnees have left the station for other states, their properties are left behind due to lack of space for their properties since they were transported using a plane which only accommodates about 20 kilograms of luggage.

“Some returnees who remained behind had to guard their properties as they allowed only the vulnerable people. New returnees include the people from Upper Nile State, Warrap, Jonglei and Equatorial states” said Alier.

The transportation of the returnees from Sudan to South Sudan for the first batch was aided by African Inland Church in support with IOM.

Mary said the way station supplies the returnees with the basic needs like water, food and accommodation including medication.

“We usually provide them with 24,000 litres of water for their drinking and other domestic needs and breakfast plus lunch and supper meals,” she said.

The doctor at the Way Station Clinic Dr. Philip Nyikang Upwol regretted for the death of a child at the way station due inadequate sanitation and lack of drugs and proper feeding since the population was great in the first batch.

Adhiew Deng who is amongst the new comers brought from Renk appreciated the move for their transportation as it took them a long time to stay in Renk.

She also thanked the government of Upper Nile State in receiving them well but also urged the government to help them move to their respective states so that they resume normal activities after staying without jobs.

“People have started cultivating their crops in other states now so if we are taken earlier we would also join and cultivate for ourselves,” she said.

Leek Alier who is also the officer at the way station said that the station will help in offering support to the new comers.